Fence post support systems and methods

ABSTRACT

The disclosure includes a fence post support system comprising an elongate shell having an open upper end, a closed lower end that is opposite the open upper end, a hollow inner portion, and sidewalls that surround the hollow inner portion. The system can also include a plurality of drain openings extending through the closed lower end. Additionally, the system can include a first sidewall extending from a first portion of the elongate shell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/558,690; filed Dec. 2, 2014; and entitled WOOD, PLASTIC, AND METAL POST INSTALLATION, PROTECTION, AND REPLACEMENT. The entire contents of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/558,690 are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to fence posts.

Description of Related Art

Fences are commonly used to enclose an area of ground to mark a boundary, control access, and/or prevent escape. Fences include walls, barriers, and other upright structures, which are commonly constructed of wood. One shortcoming to wooden fences is rotting, usually in the fence posts. The rotting often occurs in the fence post below the ground surface. Specifically, the greatest damage to fence posts from moisture is usually at the interface between the post and the ground or an in-ground fixture, such as a support device and/or protective sleeve.

The prior art provides a number of references disclosing support devices and protective sleeves. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,296 (“John”) discloses a plastic collar that receives the lower end of a wooden post and protects the lower end of the wooden post from rotting within a hole in the ground, while making insertion and removal from the hole easier. John discloses a plastic sleeve for receiving the lower end of a wooden post. Regarding John, the plastic sleeve provides a snug fit, as opposed to an open fit, which can result in moisture being held at the interface of the fence post and the ground and/or the post and the sleeve. The snug fit of the plastic sleeve can also result in moisture escaping more slowly from the sub ground surface of the fence post, which can further intensify rotting.

SUMMARY

The disclosure includes a fence post support system, including an elongate shell having an open upper end, a closed lower end that is opposite the open upper end, a hollow inner portion, and sidewalls that surround the hollow inner portion, wherein when the fence post support system is installed into a hole in a ground the elongate shell is fully located under a ground surface, and wherein the elongate shell is sized and configured to provide an air gap between an inner perimeter of the elongate shell and an outer perimeter of the fence post to thereby prevent at least one of rotting, rusting, and deformation in the fence post once it is installed into the ground. The system may include a plurality of drain openings extending through the closed lower end. Additionally, the system may include a first sidewall extending from a first portion of the elongate shell, the first sidewall extending from the open upper end and extending away from the closed lower end, the first sidewall having a first bolt hole extending through the first sidewall, wherein when the fence post support system is installed into the ground the first bolt hole is located above the ground surface, and wherein the first sidewall forms a uniform continuous structure with the elongate shell. The air gap may be less than or equal to ½ inch and greater than or equal to 1/16 inch.

In some embodiments, the system includes a second sidewall extending from a second portion of the elongate shell, the second sidewall extending from the open upper end and extending away from the closed lower end, the second sidewall having a second bolt hole extending through the second sidewall. Even still, in some embodiments, an outer surface of the sidewalls defines a roughened surface arranged and configured to provide an increased surface area such that when filling material is poured around the outer surface of the sidewalls, the increased surface area results in increased bond strength between the filling material and the surface area.

The system may include a fence post slideably inserted into the elongate shell. The fence post may have a first end that contacts the closed lower end, and a second end opposite the first end whereby the second end is vertically located above the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

In some embodiments, the system includes at least one of rock and sand disposed at a bottom of the hole under the ground surface such that the at least one of rock and sand is vertically located below the closed lower end, wherein the at least one of rock and sand is arranged and configured to allow liquid to drain through the plurality of drain openings into the at least one of rock and sand. The system may also include filling material disposed in the hole under the ground surface and vertically located above the at least one of rock and sand, wherein the filling material surrounds the fence post support system and is arranged and configured to provide structural support for the fence post support system, and wherein the filling material comprises at least one of cement, rock, soil, and sand.

Additionally, the system includes a first bolt that extends through the first bolt hole whereby the first bolt is threadably coupled to a first side of the fence post, and a second bolt that extends through the second bolt hole whereby the second bolt is threadably coupled to a second side of the fence post that is opposite the first side. The system may also include a first array of bolt holes extending through the first sidewall, wherein the first array of bolt holes comprises the first bolt hole, and a second array of bolt holes extending through the second sidewall, wherein the second array of bolt holes comprises the second bolt hole.

In many embodiments, a cross-section of the sidewalls defines a rectangular-shape. In some embodiments, the cross-section defines a triangular or circular shape.

In some embodiments, the first portion is opposite the second portion. The system may further include a third sidewall extending from a third portion of the elongate shell, the third sidewall extending from the open upper end and extending away from the closed lower end, the third sidewall having a third bolt hole extending through the third sidewall. The system may also include a fourth sidewall extending from a fourth portion of the elongate shell that is opposite the third portion, the fourth sidewall extending from the open upper end and extending away from the closed lower end, the fourth sidewall having a fourth bolt hole extending through the fourth sidewall. The first sidewall, second sidewall, third sidewall, and fourth sidewall may form a contiguous rectangular perimeter.

Even still, in some embodiments, the plurality of drain openings may include a plurality of circular-shaped drain openings. Each circular-shaped drain opening of the plurality of circular-shaped drain openings may define a diameter that is less than or equal to 1 inch and greater than or equal to 1/16 inch. Each circular-shaped drain opening of the plurality of circular-shaped drain openings may be spaced by a distance that is less than or equal to 3 inches and greater than or equal to 1 inch. In some embodiments, the plurality of drain openings comprises a plurality of slat-shaped drain openings.

In some embodiments, a fence post is slideably inserted into the elongate shell and the fence post support system is installed under the ground surface. The first sidewall and the second sidewall may be arranged and configured to extend above the ground surface by a distance that protects the fence post from damage due to lawn equipment and lawn care.

The system may define a variety of sizes. In some embodiments, the first bolt hole defines a first diameter that is less than or equal to 1 inch and greater than or equal to 1/16 inch, and the second bolt hole defines a second diameter that is less than or equal to 1 inch and greater than or equal to 1/16 inch. The elongate shell may define a height that is less than or equal to 54 inches and greater than or equal to 12 inches. The elongate shell may define a width that is less than or equal to 12 inches and greater than or equal to 3 and ⅝ inches. Furthermore, the elongate shell may define a length that is less than or equal to 6 inches and greater than or equal to 3 and ⅝ inches. As well, in some embodiments, the first sidewall extends from the first portion of the elongate shell by a distance that is less than or equal to 6 inches.

The fence post support system may be constructed of at least one of steel, iron, aluminum, and titanium, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, and polypropylene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the invention.

In the drawings, like reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fence post support system, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate perspective views of fence post support systems with fence posts inserted therein, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another fence post support system, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a fence post support system having a roughened surface, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, and 5 d illustrate various views of cross-sectional shapes of fence post support systems, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a fence post support system having additional sidewalls, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 7 a, 7 b, and 7 c illustrate bottom-down views of a second end of a fence post support system with various shaped drain openings, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a fence post support system and lawn equipment, according to some embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10—Post support system -   12—Elongate shell -   14—Open upper end -   16—Lower end -   18—Hollow inner portion -   20—Sidewalls -   22—Ground surface -   23—Air gap -   24—Height -   26—Width -   28—Length -   30—Plurality of drain openings -   32—Circular drain opening -   34—Rectangular drain opening -   36—Oval drain openings -   40—First sidewall -   42—Second sidewall -   44—Third sidewall -   46—Fourth sidewall -   50—At least one bolt hole -   50 a—First bolt hole -   50 b—Second bolt hole -   52—Roughened surface area -   54—Fence post -   56—First end of a fence post -   58—Second end of a fence post -   60—At least one of rock and sand -   62—Filling material -   70—At least one bolt -   70 a—First bolt -   70 b—Second bolt -   72—Cross-section -   72 a—Rectangular cross-section -   72 b—Cylindrical cross-section -   72 c—Triangular cross-section -   74—Lawn equipment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. For example, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts or operations of the method or process may be performed in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed sequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding certain embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devices described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components.

For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein.

Introduction

Fence installation can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Prior art fence systems often suffer from rotting, deformation, or oxidation caused by retained moisture on fence posts under the surface of the ground. Over time, the rotting will eventually require that the fence post be replaced. Replacing a fence post can be cumbersome and necessary to maintain structural integrity of the fence post.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods that reduce rotting, deformation, and other damage caused by unwanted moisture on the fence post below the ground surface level. Additionally, if fence post replacement is required, systems and methods described herein can ease the installation and replacement process. As well, systems disclosed herein can be implemented in both initial post installation and/or replacement post installation.

System and Method Embodiments

Referring now to FIG. 1, the disclosure includes a fence post support system 10 (“system 10”). In many embodiments, the system 10 comprises an elongate shell 12, an open upper end 14, a closed lower end 16 that is opposite the open upper end 14, a hollow inner portion 18, and sidewalls 20 that surround the hollow inner portion 18. When the system 10 is installed (or inserted) into a hole in the ground, the elongate shell 12 may be fully located under a ground surface 22. It should be appreciated that the system 10 may be constructed of any suitable construction material, such as steel, iron, aluminum, titanium, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polypropylene, wood, and the like.

The elongate shell 12 may define physical dimensions, such as height 24, width 26, and length 28. In some embodiments, the height 24 may be less than or equal to 54 inches and greater than or equal to 12 inches. The width 26 may be less than or equal to 12 inches and greater than or equal to 3 and ⅝ inches. Additionally, the length 28 may be less than or equal to 6 inches and greater than or equal to 4 inches. In many embodiments, the height is equal to 36 inches, the width is equal to 4 inches, and the length is equal to 4 inches.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a, the elongate shell 12 may be sized and configured to receive a fence post 54 and have an air gap 23 between an inner perimeter of the elongate shell 12 and an outer perimeter of the fence post 54. The fence post 54 may comprise a first end 56 that contacts the lower end 16, and a second end 58 opposite the first end 56 that is vertically located above the first sidewall 40 and the second sidewall 42. When the fence post 54 is slideably inserted into the elongate shell 12, the air gap 23 is created within the system 10. It should be appreciated that the fence post 54 may be constructed of any suitable construction material, such as steel, iron, aluminum, titanium, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polypropylene, wood, and the like.

Because the system 10 is arranged and configured to reduce moisture on the outer perimeter of the fence post 54 (under the ground surface), the system 10 may comprise a plurality of drain openings 30 extending through the lower end 16 of the elongate shell 12. The drain openings 30 may enable moisture to drain into the ground, thereby preventing moisture buildup in the system 10 and around the post 54 under the ground surface. For example, rainwater entering the system 10 through the ground surface 22 may easily travel through the air gap 23 and pass through the drain openings 20, thereby draining into the ground. In many existing post support and footing systems with no drainage system and/or a limited air gap, rainwater/moisture may otherwise be trapped in the device, causing rot and damage in the post due to poor drainage and air circulation around the post. The buildup of moisture can also encourage the growth of fungi, which may feed on wood, thereby causing deformation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 may include a first sidewall 40 extending from a first portion of the elongate shell 12. The first sidewall 40 may extend from the open upper end 14, extending away from the lower end 16, forming a uniform continuous structure with the elongate shell. The system 10 may further comprise a second sidewall 42 extending from a second portion of the elongate shell 12. The second sidewall 42 may extend from the open upper end 14 and extend away from the lower end 16.

Many wooden fence posts rot due to buildup of moisture and fungi under the ground surface, which leads the necessary replacement of said post. As shown in FIG. 2 a, the system 10 is arranged and configured to include an air gap 23 between the inner perimeter of the elongate shell 12 and the outer perimeter of the fence post 54. The air gap 23 may thereby enable airflow around the post inside the system 10, thus preventing the build up of moisture that often leads to rotting and the like. As such, the air gap 23 may prolong the life of the fence post 54 and even make replacement easier, if necessary. In some embodiments, the air gap 23 is less than or equal to ½ inch and greater than or equal to 1/16 inch. In many embodiments, the air gap is equal to ¼ inch. Generally, it should be appreciated that the air gap 23 may be any dimension greater than 1/16 inch.

As previously mentioned, the air gap 23 may aid in ease of replacement of the fence post 54 that may be required due to structures settling, shifting, warping, and otherwise changing over time. In essence, the air gap 23 creates a margin in the system 10 that allows the replacement of the fence post 54 to occur without significant difficulty or changes and modifications to the structure. The system 10 can provide the strength and rigidity of a brand new installation.

As further shown in FIG. 2 b, the system 10 is installed into a hole under the ground surface 22, wherein at least one of rock and sand 60 is disposed at a bottom of the hole under the ground surface 22, and is vertically located below the lower end 16. The at least one of rock and sand 60 is arranged and configured to allow liquid to drain through the plurality of drain openings 30 into the at least one of rock and sand 60. Liquid may travel through the at least one of rock and sand 60, and be absorbed into ground material positioned under the at least one of rock and sand 60, to thereby remove liquid from the system 10. (Sand is known to those skilled in the art to prevent the migration of ground particles comprising water that may surround the sand, due to the small nature of the pore spaces in sand. The small pores create a relatively large surface area, allowing the sand to hold more water than many other types of soil, thus preventing the migration of this water into the fence post support or footing system.)

With continued reference to FIG. 2 b, filling material 62 may be disposed in the hole under the ground surface 22 in which system 10 may be installed. In many embodiments, the filling material 62 may be vertically located above the at least one of rock and sand 60, wherein the filling material 62 surrounds the system 10 and is arranged and configured to provide structural support for the system 10. The filling material 62 may comprise at least one of cement, rock, soil, sand, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the first sidewall 40 may be arranged and configured to receive at least one bolt 70. A first bolt 70 a may extend through the first bolt hole 50 a, whereby the first bolt 70 a may be threadably coupled to a first side of the fence post 54 to enhance structural integrity of the system 10 and the fence post 54. Likewise, a second bolt 70 b may extend through the second bolt 50 b hole, whereby the second bolt 70 b is threadably coupled to a second side of the fence post 54 that is opposite the first side. The bolt holes 50 a and 50 b may define a first diameter that is less than or equal to 1 inch and greater than or equal to 1/16 inch.

In some embodiments, the at least one bolt hole 50 may comprise a plurality of bolt holes arranged and configured to receive a plurality of bolts, such that a first array of bolt holes may extend through the first sidewall 40 wherein the first array of bolt holes comprises the first bolt hole 50 a. In a similar manner, a second array of bolt holes may extend through the second sidewall 42 wherein the second array of bolt holes comprises the second bolt hole 50 b. It should be appreciated that the plurality and arrangement of the bolt holes, and any tool used in the installation of the system 10 does not limit the scope of the present invention. The at least one bolt 70 may be fastened to the fence post 54 to provide comparable strength, rigidity, and stability to the post 54 as if it were directly positioned in cement or otherwise buried in the ground.

The system 10 may comprise a variety of features to help increase structural integrity between the system 10 and the fence post 54. For example, with reference to FIG. 4, an outer surface of the sidewalls 20 may include a roughened surface area 52. The roughened surface area 52 may be arranged and configured to provide an increased surface area to the system 10 such that when a filling material 62 is poured around the outer surface of the sidewalls 20, the increased surface area may result in increased bond strength between the filling material 62 and the surface area of the sidewalls 20. The roughened surface area 52 may be created by chemical means, such as chemical etching, or by manufacturing means, such as by manufacturing textured sidewalls 20 with bumps, ridges, knobs, and the like. The increased surface area created by the roughened surface area 52 may permit the formation of a greater density of chemical bonds between the sidewalls 20 and the filling material 62.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, and 5 d a cross-section of the system 10 may define a variety of shapes, such as a rectangular cross-section 72 a, a cylindrical cross-section 72 b, and/or a triangular cross-section 72 c. It should be appreciated that the system 10 may be sized and configured to receive an assortment of fence posts 54 of different shapes and sizes. For example, a triangular cross-section 72 c system 10 may receive a fence post having a similar triangular cross-section.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the system 10 may comprise a third sidewall 44 extending from a third portion of the elongate shell 12. The third sidewall 44 may extend from the open upper end 14, extending away from the lower end 16, forming a uniform continuous structure with the elongate shell, and may comprise at least one bolt hole 50. When system 10 is installed into the ground, the third sidewall 44 and at least one bolt hole 50 may be located above the ground surface 22. Additionally, the system 10 may further comprise a fourth sidewall 46 extending from a fourth portion of the elongate shell 12. The fourth sidewall 46 may extend from the open upper end 14 and extend away from the lower end 16, and may comprise at least one bolt hole 50. The fourth sidewall 46 may act in a similar manner as the first, second, and third sidewalls 40, 42, 44 when the system 10 is installed into the ground.

In some embodiments, the system 10 may comprise the first sidewall 40, the second sidewall 42, the third sidewall 44, and the fourth sidewall 46. The sidewalls 40, 42, 44, and 46 may form a contiguous rectangular perimeter, and may add stability and rigidity to the fence post 54 when installed in the system 10. It should be appreciated that the shape of sidewalls 40-46 may be sized and configured to form a contiguous perimeter that matches the shape of cross-section 72.

FIGS. 7 a, 7 b, and 7 c illustrate a plurality of drain openings 30 extending through the lower end 16. The plurality of drain openings 30 may comprise different shapes to meet the needs of environmental conditions and system configurations. FIG. 7a illustrates the plurality of drain openings 30 comprising a circular drain opening 32 extending through the lower end 16. Each circular drain opening 32 may define a diameter that is less than or equal to 1 inch and greater than or equal to 1/16 inch. Each circular drain opening 32 may be spaced by a distance that is less than or equal to 3 inches and greater than or equal to 1 inch.

According to FIG. 7 b, the plurality of drain openings 30 may comprise a plurality of slat-shaped drain openings 34 extending through the lower end 16. FIG. 7c illustrates an oval drain opening 36 extending through the lower end 16. The rectangular drain opening 34 and the oval drain opening 36 may utilized rather than circular drain opening 32 to prevent a lack of drainage associated with plugged holes, as holes may be more likely to become plugged from debris, such as dirt, rocks, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 8, in several embodiments, the system 10 may be arranged and configured such that when the system 10 is installed under the ground surface 22, the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls 40, 42, 44, 46 may extend above the ground surface 22 by a distance that may protect the fence post 54 from direct contact with lawn care equipment 74. In some embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls 40, 42, 44, 46 may extend from the first portion of the elongate shell 12 by a distance that is less than or equal to 6 inches. This distance above the ground may protect the fence post 54 on any exposed sides from contact with lawn care equipment 74, such as lawn mowers, string trimmers, rakes, leaf blowers, tillers, and the like.

Interpretation

None of the steps described herein is essential or indispensable. Any of the steps can be adjusted or modified. Other or additional steps can be used. Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one embodiment, flowchart, or example in this specification can be combined or used with or instead of any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different embodiment, flowchart, or example. The embodiments and examples provided herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other.

The section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting. The section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the full scope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headings and subheadings pertain. For example, a section titled “Topic 1” may include embodiments that do not pertain to Topic 1 and embodiments described in other sections may apply to and be combined with embodiments described within the “Topic 1” section.

The various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method, event, state, or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods, steps, and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks, steps, or states relating thereto can be performed in other sequences that are appropriate. For example, described tasks or events may be performed in an order other than the order specifically disclosed. Multiple steps may be combined in a single block or state. The example tasks or events may be performed in serial, in parallel, or in some other manner. Tasks or events may be added to or removed from the disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and components described herein may be configured differently than described. For example, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed example embodiments.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present.

The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or” applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in another sentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments include A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy.

While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A fence post support system, comprising: an elongate shell having an open upper end, a closed lower end that is opposite the open upper end, a hollow inner portion, and sidewalls that surround the hollow inner portion, wherein when the fence post support system is installed into a hole in a ground the elongate shell is fully located under a ground surface, and wherein the elongate shell is sized and configured to provide an air gap between an inner perimeter of the elongate shell and an outer perimeter of the fence post to thereby prevent at least one of rotting, rusting, and deformation in the fence post once it is installed into the ground; a plurality of drain openings extending through the closed lower end; and a first sidewall extending from a first portion of the elongate shell, the first sidewall extending from the open upper end and extending away from the closed lower end, the first sidewall having a first bolt hole extending through the first sidewall, wherein when the fence post support system is installed into the ground the first bolt hole is located above the ground surface, and wherein the first sidewall forms a uniform continuous structure with the elongate shell.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second sidewall extending from a second portion of the elongate shell, the second sidewall extending from the open upper end and extending away from the closed lower end, the second sidewall having a second bolt hole extending through the second sidewall.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein an outer surface of the sidewalls defines a roughened surface arranged and configured to provide an increased surface area so that when filling material is poured around the outer surface of the sidewalls the increased surface area results in increased bond strength between the filling material and the surface area.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the air gap is less than or equal to ½ inch and greater than or equal to 1/16 inch.
 5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a fence post slideably inserted into the elongate shell, the fence post having a first end that contacts the closed lower end, and a second end opposite the first end whereby the second end is vertically located above the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
 6. The system of claim 3, further comprising: at least one of rock and sand disposed at a bottom of the hole under the ground surface such that the at least one of rock and sand is vertically located below the closed lower end, wherein the at least one of rock and sand is arranged and configured to allow liquid to drain through the plurality of drain openings into the at least one of rock and sand; and filling material disposed in the hole under the ground surface and vertically located above the at least one of rock and sand, wherein the filling material surrounds the fence post support system and is arranged and configured to provide structural support for the fence post support system, and wherein the filling material comprises at least one of cement, rock, soil, and sand.
 7. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a first bolt that extends through the first bolt hole whereby the first bolt is threadably coupled to a first side of the fence post; a second bolt that extends through the second bolt hole whereby the second bolt is threadably coupled to a second side of the fence post that is opposite the first side; a first array of bolt holes extending through the first sidewall, wherein the first array of bolt holes comprises the first bolt hole; and a second array of bolt holes extending through the second sidewall, wherein the second array of bolt holes comprises the second bolt hole.
 8. The system of claim 2, wherein a cross-section of the sidewalls defines a rectangular-shape.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein the first portion is opposite the second portion, the system further comprising: a third sidewall extending from a third portion of the elongate shell, the third sidewall extending from the open upper end and extending away from the closed lower end, the third sidewall having a third bolt hole extending through the third sidewall; and a fourth sidewall extending from a fourth portion of the elongate shell that is opposite the third portion, the fourth sidewall extending from the open upper end and extending away from the closed lower end, the fourth sidewall having a fourth bolt hole extending through the fourth sidewall, wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall, and the fourth sidewall form a contiguous rectangular perimeter.
 10. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of drain openings comprises a plurality of circular-shaped drain openings.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein each circular-shaped drain opening of the plurality of circular-shaped drain openings defines a diameter that is less than or equal to 1 inch and greater than or equal to 1/16 inch.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein each circular-shaped drain opening of the plurality of circular-shaped drain openings is spaced by a distance that is less than or equal to 3 inches and greater than or equal to 1 inch.
 13. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of drain openings comprises a plurality of slat-shaped drain openings.
 14. The system of claim 2, wherein when a fence post is slideably inserted into the elongate shell and the fence post support system is installed under the ground surface, the first sidewall and the second sidewall are arranged and configured to extend above the ground surface by a distance that protects the fence post from damage due to lawn equipment and lawn care.
 15. The system of claim 2, wherein the first bolt hole defines a first diameter that is less than or equal to 1 inch and greater than or equal to 1/16 inch, and the second bolt hole defines a second diameter that is less than or equal to 1 inch and greater than or equal to 1/16 inch.
 16. The system of claim 2, wherein the elongate shell defines a height that is less than or equal to 54 inches and greater than or equal to 12 inches.
 17. The system of claim 2, wherein the elongate shell defines a width that is less than or equal to 12 inches and greater than or equal to 3 and ⅝ inches.
 18. The system of claim 2, wherein the elongate shell defines a length that is less than or equal to 6 inches and greater than or equal to 3 and ⅝ inches.
 19. The system of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall extends from the first portion of the elongate shell by a distance that is less than or equal to 6 inches.
 20. The system of claim 2, wherein the fence post support system is constructed of at least one of steel, iron, aluminum, and titanium, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, and polypropylene. 